FUNDamentals

Wealth and Detachment

2010-02-22T15:05:29-06:00

Wealth and Detachment Are the two mutually exclusive? We are dedicating this issue of FUNDamentals to focus on material wealth and what it means to be detached. Many of us begin to form strong opinions either way when these two words are brought up together, but we would like to take a closer look at the Baha'i Writings and see if the two are indeed mutually exclusive or, if there is a way that the two can exist harmoniously in our lives. We will begin our conversation with an article about wealth and why it is “praiseworthy in the highest...

Praising Wealth

2010-02-22T15:04:53-06:00

Praising Wealth Using Wealth as a Tool Often times in American society we feel apprehensive when it comes to talking about our money and wealth. Some may feel as though wealth is something to be ashamed of, especially when we see suffering and calamities all over the world. But as we have learned from the Writings, wealth is not something that should make us uncomfortable, embarrassed or even less spiritual. “Wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual's own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry, and if it...

From the Writings

2010-02-22T15:03:54-06:00

From the Writings... “We can appreciate without attaching ourselves to the things of this world. It sometimes happens that if a man loses his fortune he is so disheartened that he dies or becomes insane. While enjoying the things of this world we must remember that one day we shall have to do without them. Attach not thyself to anything unless in it thou seest the reality of God - this is the first step into the court of eternity. The earth life lasts but a short time, even its benefits are transitory; that which is temporary does not deserve...

Detachment

2010-02-22T15:02:39-06:00

Detachment Freedom from our Possessions As spiritual beings that live within this material realm, many of us often struggle with detachment from the material things of this world. We think that we must deprive ourselves of material comforts in order to be fully detached. But, as we see in the quote below, detachment does not mean that we must give up everything that makes our lives more comfortable. “Detachment does not consist in setting fire to one's house, or becoming bankrupt or throwing one's fortune out of the window, or even giving away all of one's possessions. Detachment consists in...

Calling on Contributors

2010-02-22T15:01:28-06:00

Calling on Contributors Sharing your Experiences FUNDamentals is still in search of story ideas and contributors for upcoming issues. If you would be willing to share with us your thoughts, experiences and stories about learning to balance the material and spiritual in an increasingly materialistic world please email us at Fundamentals@usbnc.org. We look forward to hearing your stories!